Engineering aspects of aqua farm design for sustainability of environment and aquaculture

Abstract

Engineering aspects of farm design is an important asset for the development of sustainable aquaculture and environment. The aquaculture map prepared from IRS 1C- LISS III satellite data using Geographic Information System indicated that the area under aquaculture was 328 ha in and around Pichavaram, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. Farm design details like slope of primary and secondary dikes, seepage control measures, pond bottom slope, pond and water spread area were measured from aquaculture farms located at Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu and compared with standard design parameters. Soil characteristics like pH, electrical conductivity, porosity and water holding capacity of the farms ranged from 7.51 to 8.29, 6.18 to 15.75 dS/m, 15.21 to 29.71 % and 20.7 to 36.8 % respectively. The velocity in the drainage channel varied from 0.32 – 0.73 m/sec. The seepage rate was as high as 5.2-13.1 cm/day in soil due to sandy nature. The texture of the soil varied from loamy sand to sandy loam. Village based drainage network is recommended to facilitate proper drainage of wastewater from aquaculture farm